Declan Kidney last night defended his Six Nations selection policy by insisting: “Every decision I’ve made is for the good of the Ireland team.”

The Ireland boss has been under-fire for his approach to a championship that yielded an opening win over Wales before back to back defeats to England and Scotland.

Former Ireland star Shane Horgan articulated a feeling on radio last week when he said Kidney was “making sure he was in a position where he really couldn’t fail” by selecting novices Paddy Jackson and Luke Marshall at Murrayfield.

Jackson’s place-kicking rustiness contributed to a damaging loss.

While Kidney claimed he hadn’t heard the criticism, he blasted any suggestion that he was acting in a selfish manner to save his job.

“I would say that was very, very wide of the mark,” he responded.

“Every decision I’ve ever made has been for the good of the team.”

When called on to explain his reasoning behind omitting Ronan O’Gara – bringing more criticism raining down on himself – Kidney was clear.

“These calls have to be made,” he said. “That’s the role of the coach.

“It was a very tight call but when you have to do your job, you have to do your job.

“And if you’re talking about, what was your phrase there, ‘bringing something down...’ it’s not about bringing anything down on myself, it’s about just doing my job. That’s the way I see it.

“The easy thing at this time is to make no decision.”

However, Kidney’s latest out-half bulletin produced confusion at Carton House yesterday.

With first choice No.10 Jonny Sexton not to be risked until the final championship clash in Rome next week, that left Jackson in pole position with fellow rookie Ian Madigan set for his first bench start.

But 21-year-old Jackson suffered a tight hamstring in training on Monday and felt it again yesterday.

Ireland had few answers against Scotland

So the crucial 10 slot has been left blank and while management express confidence that the Ulsterman will be fit to play, it’s possible that uncapped Madigan and dropped veteran O’Gara could be Ireland’s go-to out-halves for the Aviva Stadium clash with France.

In fairness to Kidney, he had just learned that Sexton was out before announcing his line-up for Saturday’s game, which includes doubtful second row pairing Donnacha Ryan and Mike McCarthy and also Fergus McFadden for groin victim Craig Gilroy on the right wing.

But he had obviously gambled on Sexton being fit as he decided to leave 128-times capped O’Gara out of his 32-man provisional squad named on Sunday.

Now the possibility exists that the man who celebrates his 36th birthday tomorrow could be called on to salvage a messy situation.

“When I come to that bridge I’ll cross it,” said Kidney, who confirmed O’Gara had not yet been recalled as cover.

“All of the information leads me to believe that I don’t have to bring in another out-half.

“The decision on starting, I know what way I’ll go.

“The lads know, I just want to see them on the park.

“If Paddy starts, he’ll place kick. The same with Ian. Fergus is obviously an option too.”

And the possibility of O’Gara’s return?

“We’ll work our way through that,” Kidney stated.

“As of now I have two fit out-halves for Saturday.

“When you’ve given the amount of service Ronan has given, it’s tough enough to leave him out, you don’t want to drag him all around the country unless you have something for him.”